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Find Your Own Piece of Heaven
Creating The Toad Hideout
Creating and Designing
The idea for our cabin was born during our very first year at Tree Tops and Train Tracks, when the woodland experienced an incredible surprise—an infestation of over 10,000 tiny frogs. With every step, the forest floor seemed to move beneath us. Inspired by this magical moment, we wove subtle frog-inspired details into the cabin’s design, creating unique features that celebrate the character and wonder of our woodland.
Developing Relationships
Working alongside Joe and Fred Farey has been an invaluable experience—both in learning the craft of timber framing and in hosting our own courses. Their expertise has enabled us to develop our skills, utilise the frames we’ve built, and begin creating our own unique designs. The frame featured here was constructed during our timber framing course in May 2024.
Milling Our Timber
One of our unique strengths is that 95% of the timber used for the cabin comes directly from our own woodland. Every piece is felled, milled, and, in most cases, even machined right here in our workshop at the woodland entrance. This approach makes the project not only entirely bespoke and handcrafted, but also deeply sustainable—minimising transport, reducing impact, and celebrating the resources of the land itself.
Timber Framing Course
This is where the magic truly happens! With the guidance of Jo and Fred, we welcomed seven enthusiastic men and women—including myself—to our timber framing course. Together, over the course of a week, we crafted the structural framework of the cabin, building on the knowledge and experience gained from our previous courses.
Timber frame Final Day
The final day of the timber framing course is always the most exciting—when the frame we’ve been carefully crafting all week is finally raised. Everyone joined in, the energy was incredible, and together we created something truly special.
Putting on the Rafters
Once the carcass was raised, the rest of the structure began to take shape. I’ve been fortunate to have the help of Alan, an incredible 80-year-old volunteer, who has spent the summer working alongside me to bring it all together.
Green Roof
For certain parts of the build, we brought in professional expertise—such as the installation of the log burner and the creation of our green roof. The roof has been one of our best ideas, designed to mimic the slanted green back of a toad at rest while seamlessly blending into the surrounding woodland.
Back on the Mill Again!
It was back to the mill to produce all the cladding from our beautiful larch trees, which grow just behind the house. Larch is one of the finest timbers for outdoor use, thanks to its naturally high resin content that makes it water-resistant and highly durable against rot. We feel incredibly fortunate to have access to this resource, which has been maturing in our woodland for over 60 years.
Cladding Time!
With the cladding in place, the magic of the cabin truly began to come together. To finish, we treated the entire structure with a clear, UV-resistant Osmo oil, giving the timber a warm, glowing effect while protecting it for years to come.
Exterior Finished Cabin
With the protective Osmo oil applied, the timber retains its rich, warm orange hue, while the roof harmoniously blends with the surrounding forest canopy, bringing the cabin seamlessly to life in its woodland setting.
Internal Finished Cabin
The luxurious ash interior complements the cabin’s setting within our ancient woodland, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Despite the challenges of ash dieback, the timber thrives inside the cabin, preserving its beauty for years to come. Bold green accents bring the toad-inspired theme to life, adding character and charm that our guests absolutely love.
Tips & Articles
If it hadn’t been for a phone call suggesting we enter ourselves for an award, we would have completely missed...
Using Our Cabin, Tree Tents and Camping Pitches will allow us to diversify and share our woodland, whilst maintaining our mission to ensure we sustainable manage and enrich its environment. Book an incredible cabin adventure, Tree Top or woodland camping experience today!